Crossing Gard debacle
truth25
10-16-2005, 01:05 AM
A few months ago I got pulled over for speeding. I looked down when the cop first came up behind me, and I could see I was going 79. He ticketed me, said he estimated my speed at 89! I never, I mean never, drive that fast. I'm the boring guy on the freeway that everyone is passing. But I had to pay, just the same. No use in trying to fight this ticket when the cop has already decided to lie.
If that wasn't bad enough, I ran into another lier a couple of months later. I was pickin up my daughter from school. When I came the the intersection, I waited dillegently while the crossing gard proceeded to the other side of the street. She was next to the sidewalk on the other side of the street, and had lowered her stop sign when I made my right turn. I was shocked to be ticketed by a motorcycle cop who said it was illegal to turn through an intersection anytime the crossing gard was in the crosswalk. I was furious, and it didn't help things when I got home and read the law, which contained absolutely no language like that the cop had given me. According to the law, a violation amounted to the motorist failing to obey the directions of the crossing gard. I checked with the schools head of security, who said he was an ex cop and that it sounded to him like I was in the right. I also checked the uniform traffic signal code as adopted by Calif., which said that the stop sign was the crossing gards primary signaling device. It was this stop sign that told me it was ok to
go when she lowered it.
I went to court, but the cop lied and said the crossing gard "allways" walks to the center of the crosswalk and holds the sign up high until all the kids are across the street, and that when I had made my turn she was in the lane next to mine! I showed the judge some photos to show that in fact, she often lowers her sign and walks back to her side of the road before the kids are done crossing. I felt this would surely place doubt on the officers testimony, but the judge didn't even pay attention. I wasn't even allowed to cross examine the cop. Before I new it the judge just said "based on the testimony of the officer I find you guilty." Without corroborating evidence? What happened to beyond a reasonable doubt?
That's why I don't trust the law, Calif., and especially not it's cops. The worst part is that if I get a third ticket within 18 months I could have my license taken away, all based on lying cops!
If that wasn't bad enough, I ran into another lier a couple of months later. I was pickin up my daughter from school. When I came the the intersection, I waited dillegently while the crossing gard proceeded to the other side of the street. She was next to the sidewalk on the other side of the street, and had lowered her stop sign when I made my right turn. I was shocked to be ticketed by a motorcycle cop who said it was illegal to turn through an intersection anytime the crossing gard was in the crosswalk. I was furious, and it didn't help things when I got home and read the law, which contained absolutely no language like that the cop had given me. According to the law, a violation amounted to the motorist failing to obey the directions of the crossing gard. I checked with the schools head of security, who said he was an ex cop and that it sounded to him like I was in the right. I also checked the uniform traffic signal code as adopted by Calif., which said that the stop sign was the crossing gards primary signaling device. It was this stop sign that told me it was ok to
go when she lowered it.
I went to court, but the cop lied and said the crossing gard "allways" walks to the center of the crosswalk and holds the sign up high until all the kids are across the street, and that when I had made my turn she was in the lane next to mine! I showed the judge some photos to show that in fact, she often lowers her sign and walks back to her side of the road before the kids are done crossing. I felt this would surely place doubt on the officers testimony, but the judge didn't even pay attention. I wasn't even allowed to cross examine the cop. Before I new it the judge just said "based on the testimony of the officer I find you guilty." Without corroborating evidence? What happened to beyond a reasonable doubt?
That's why I don't trust the law, Calif., and especially not it's cops. The worst part is that if I get a third ticket within 18 months I could have my license taken away, all based on lying cops!
Chevy4life1985
10-17-2005, 08:41 AM
WOW f*ckin pigs. What ever happened to decent cops. Christ. Dude sorry about that shit. Good Luck
fredjacksonsan
10-18-2005, 03:46 PM
Sounds like the judge reamed you; you should have had the opportunity to cross examine, as is your right. I hope you're appealing.
truth25
10-20-2005, 06:13 PM
Wish I could appeal. You only get a few weeks for that in California. I doubt that it would have done much good anyways. They don't allow new evidence, and I get the feeling that in these Calif. kangaroo courts the judge wouldn't have cared. The first one sure didn't!
MagicRat
10-20-2005, 07:26 PM
next time, get a lawyer.
I often tell people to get help in fighting tickets, ANY ticket, regardless of whether you are guilty or not.
Around here, it costs about $250 and it can often be fixed without a court date.
I often tell people to get help in fighting tickets, ANY ticket, regardless of whether you are guilty or not.
Around here, it costs about $250 and it can often be fixed without a court date.
truth25
10-31-2005, 12:21 AM
I hadn't thought of a lawyer. Those guys charge a lot of money and the last time I used a lawyer he didn't do much. Not sure I trust them either. Of course I also hadn't realized that the judge was just going to ignore me. I also don't know that in CA they would allow a layer.
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